Higher elevations are often home to thorny plants, ones which result in excellent local honey. Bees must love these cliffs and canyons.
Higher elevations are often home to thorny plants, ones which result in excellent local honey. Bees must love these cliffs and canyons.
0 2025/02/01 12:26:29
Mt. Perdido is one of 'Las Tres Sorores' along with Marbore and Soum de Ramon. Each of those enormous rock legends towers higher than 3000m and are featured on countless postcards, calendars, book covers and the like.
Mt. Perdido is one of 'Las Tres Sorores' along with Marbore and Soum de Ramon. Each of those enormous rock legends towers higher than 3000m and are featured on countless postcards, calendars, book covers and the like.
0 2025/02/02 10:08:30
La Estiva Refugio is a destination for students taking Mountain Guide courses. Apparently, the first team to arrive there on the final exam gets to drink the waiting bottle of wine. back at Solomonte HQ we'd seen their HUMUNGOUS wall map. It clearly showed the location of La Estiva, marked with the visible symbol of a wine bottle! Cristina and Jorge shared their delicious homegrown yellow cherry tomatoes with us all, during the bocadillo-yogurt lunch at the hut.
La Estiva Refugio is a destination for students taking Mountain Guide courses. Apparently, the first team to arrive there on the final exam gets to drink the waiting bottle of wine. back at Solomonte HQ we'd seen their HUMUNGOUS wall map. It clearly showed the location of La Estiva, marked with the visible symbol of a wine bottle! Cristina and Jorge shared their delicious homegrown yellow cherry tomatoes with us all, during the bocadillo-yogurt lunch at the hut.
0 2025/02/02 10:10:07
Igneous rocks plus many other sorts, were displayed as though on display at an art show, most covered with a wide variety of colorful lichens.
Igneous rocks plus many other sorts, were displayed as though on display at an art show, most covered with a wide variety of colorful lichens.
0 2025/02/02 10:11:29
Anisclo Canyon (alt. 1740m) receives fewer tourists than more high-profile parts of Ordesa-Perdido park. The drive there is interesting too. One farm on its outskirts featured a collection of multiple different scarecrows. Were they for sale? As mentioned above, our guide Julian had brought his ESL tutor pal Mia as translator. Btw, the sign here says NO DRONES.
Anisclo Canyon (alt. 1740m) receives fewer tourists than more high-profile parts of Ordesa-Perdido park. The drive there is interesting too. One farm on its outskirts featured a collection of multiple different scarecrows. Were they for sale? As mentioned above, our guide Julian had brought his ESL tutor pal Mia as translator. Btw, the sign here says NO DRONES.
0 2025/01/31 13:06:30
In some parts, the Escuain Garganta ('throat' or gorge) rock face is streaked orange-black. That's why we made the fonts above so coloured. Coming here during shoulder season meant far fewer crowds at the less-popular parts of the park such as Escuain. We saw only two other tourists there. The Visitor Center's gal was glad to see we three. Among the wildlife displays there, was a *'quebrantahuesos' stuffed bearded vulture. Its wingspan was impressive up close! *German: 'lammergeiter'
In some parts, the Escuain Garganta ('throat' or gorge) rock face is streaked orange-black. That's why we made the fonts above so coloured. Coming here during shoulder season meant far fewer crowds at the less-popular parts of the park such as Escuain. We saw only two other tourists there. The Visitor Center's gal was glad to see we three. Among the wildlife displays there, was a *'quebrantahuesos' stuffed bearded vulture. Its wingspan was impressive up close! *German: 'lammergeiter'
0 2025/02/01 12:28:04
Escuain village is a ghost town right by the gorge. It was once a well-known butter-producing village. Folks would once barter butter for wine. A scattered collection of crumbling old buildings still exist, like the one shown below. Shown here is Escuain's historic church/mausoleum, its empty hutches the result of expensive rates that apparently drove historic farm families to bury and inter elsewhere.
Escuain village is a ghost town right by the gorge. It was once a well-known butter-producing village. Folks would once barter butter for wine. A scattered collection of crumbling old buildings still exist, like the one shown below. Shown here is Escuain's historic church/mausoleum, its empty hutches the result of expensive rates that apparently drove historic farm families to bury and inter elsewhere.
0 2025/02/01 12:25:53
Did I mention mountains? Ordesa-Perdido park's Circo de Soaso with the famed Cala Caballo (horse's tail). *Next=our wonderful Casa Blas rental house.
Did I mention mountains? Ordesa-Perdido park's Circo de Soaso with the famed Cala Caballo (horse's tail). *Next=our wonderful Casa Blas rental house.
0 2025/01/30 16:06:27
The variety went on and on...
The variety went on and on...
0 2025/02/02 10:11:19
After driving past Zapatierna, we kept going up and up. It was our windiest, and coldest daytrip yet. It was also the one with the most tricky driving. I tried to reduce my chirpiness to a minimum so that Raquel could concentrate behind the wheel. In this very stretch, an alert Mrs Z began to notice patches of dying/dead pines. An invasive species of butterfly had been nesting throughout. The firs and beeches seemed resistant so far. the poor pines not so much. A problem for forestry personnel.
After driving past Zapatierna, we kept going up and up. It was our windiest, and coldest daytrip yet. It was also the one with the most tricky driving. I tried to reduce my chirpiness to a minimum so that Raquel could concentrate behind the wheel. In this very stretch, an alert Mrs Z began to notice patches of dying/dead pines. An invasive species of butterfly had been nesting throughout. The firs and beeches seemed resistant so far. the poor pines not so much. A problem for forestry personnel.
0 2025/02/02 10:08:16
This Pineta valley part starts with this carving. For me, this fellow represents plucky determination. Like for example, if a certain Trip Reporter suddenly had several hours of their labeled photo essay work suddenly disappear at 2am due to some indecipherable tech issue. Sigh...
This Pineta valley part starts with this carving. For me, this fellow represents plucky determination. Like for example, if a certain Trip Reporter suddenly had several hours of their labeled photo essay work suddenly disappear at 2am due to some indecipherable tech issue. Sigh...
0 2025/02/02 10:12:17
*Later in Belsierre, her high school classmate Oscar drove by in his new one-person vehicle! He owns the modern tourist rental village there. The smell of cow manure was extremely powerful in Puertolas above. But those of who were born on farms feel that a multi-sensory approach is essential to grasp the full experience. And seriously, it'd be a great education for kids.
*Later in Belsierre, her high school classmate Oscar drove by in his new one-person vehicle! He owns the modern tourist rental village there. The smell of cow manure was extremely powerful in Puertolas above. But those of who were born on farms feel that a multi-sensory approach is essential to grasp the full experience. And seriously, it'd be a great education for kids.
0 2025/02/01 12:25:23
Btw, this is the Bielsa parador. We enjoyed our three nights there, with VG food, excellent service and a fine fireplace in the lobby common area. The latter came in handy as it rained 90% of the time. Waterfalls such as Cascada Cinqa streamed down the cliff face of Mt Perdido and company.
Btw, this is the Bielsa parador. We enjoyed our three nights there, with VG food, excellent service and a fine fireplace in the lobby common area. The latter came in handy as it rained 90% of the time. Waterfalls such as Cascada Cinqa streamed down the cliff face of Mt Perdido and company.
0 2025/02/02 19:50:52
Same location.The forested escarpment scenery just did not quit.
Same location.The forested escarpment scenery just did not quit.
0 2025/02/02 20:18:30
We used our newly-purchased Barcelona glasses in our historic Usana rental 'Casa Blas.'
We used our newly-purchased Barcelona glasses in our historic Usana rental 'Casa Blas.'
0 2025/01/30 15:54:06
An antique coffee grinder.
An antique coffee grinder.
0 2025/01/30 22:28:02
0 2025/02/02 20:18:59
Spanish wine has a looooong history, just like Usana.
Spanish wine has a looooong history, just like Usana.
0 2025/01/30 22:47:00
We were up among the clouds. It got cooler.
We were up among the clouds. It got cooler.
0 2025/02/02 20:18:01
Same spot seen from opposite direction. This is Casa Blas. For us it was indeed 'Basa Bliss!' Property manager Jayne Calvert had described this house to us as being cozy and having a prime location and she was right.
Same spot seen from opposite direction. This is Casa Blas. For us it was indeed 'Basa Bliss!' Property manager Jayne Calvert had described this house to us as being cozy and having a prime location and she was right.
0 2025/01/30 21:21:21
0 2025/02/02 20:18:18
The signature berries of the Pyrenees are the 'pataculo' or damask rose. Despite being high in vitamin C, it can cause constipation (see 'culo'). Julian handed us some dried ones, already turning a yellow-orange tinge. Elsewhere: a kind of vine growing out of rockfaces used for both animal plus human abortion. We were also shown the large, light-green bush known as 'the difficult mother-in-law'! A hard, inflexible bush mind you.
The signature berries of the Pyrenees are the 'pataculo' or damask rose. Despite being high in vitamin C, it can cause constipation (see 'culo'). Julian handed us some dried ones, already turning a yellow-orange tinge. Elsewhere: a kind of vine growing out of rockfaces used for both animal plus human abortion. We were also shown the large, light-green bush known as 'the difficult mother-in-law'! A hard, inflexible bush mind you.
0 2025/01/31 13:11:57
Pretty sure that this mirador Ziarazils along the Faixa pelai. It had a muddy-floored, well-defined stone perimeter. Its sign read: 'Don't throw stones down into the valley because you could hit those below.'
Pretty sure that this mirador Ziarazils along the Faixa pelai. It had a muddy-floored, well-defined stone perimeter. Its sign read: 'Don't throw stones down into the valley because you could hit those below.'
0 2025/02/02 20:18:39
The Soaso steps looking west towards Punta Munesma aka Tobacor. This was the final spectacular lookout. It came with the most strenuous hike. One member of our troupe went up anyway, despite her recent surgery! If you visit the Pyrenees, put this tour top of your list. Trust me. *next: Ainsa conclusion.
The Soaso steps looking west towards Punta Munesma aka Tobacor. This was the final spectacular lookout. It came with the most strenuous hike. One member of our troupe went up anyway, despite her recent surgery! If you visit the Pyrenees, put this tour top of your list. Trust me. *next: Ainsa conclusion.
0 2025/02/02 20:19:28
It was fantastic. Here we see the mirador with two names: Bacarizuala by the Brecha(finger) de Azares/Tito Basta. Just across was the Roland gap, Taillon and Marbore mountains.The geology reminded me of Yosemite and also the Canadian Rockies. the heights gave most of us mild headaches so we took Tylenol.
It was fantastic. Here we see the mirador with two names: Bacarizuala by the Brecha(finger) de Azares/Tito Basta. Just across was the Roland gap, Taillon and Marbore mountains.The geology reminded me of Yosemite and also the Canadian Rockies. the heights gave most of us mild headaches so we took Tylenol.
0 2025/02/02 20:18:10
0 2020/03/19 12:14:54
A ceremonial 'tastevin' cup in Meursault.
A ceremonial 'tastevin' cup in Meursault.
0 2020/03/19 17:52:41
0 2020/03/20 10:07:08
Alsace.
Alsace.
0 2020/03/20 10:08:11
0 2020/03/20 10:17:41
0 2020/03/20 10:19:11
0 2020/03/20 10:22:53
Rovinj, Croatia.
Rovinj, Croatia.
0 2020/03/20 10:19:39
0 2020/03/20 10:23:17
0 2020/03/20 10:23:49
0 2020/03/20 10:24:16
0 2020/03/20 10:25:54
0 2020/03/20 10:26:32
0 2020/03/20 10:26:56
0 2020/03/20 10:27:17
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